Previews of Friday's high school games

Peninsula District

BETHEL (5-1, 4-1 PD) vs. KECOUGHTAN (3-3, 2-3)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Darling Stadium.

THE BUZZ: In mid-October, every game becomes important in the playoff picture. Both teams need this one — in fact, it's probably an elimination game for the Warriors. Kecoughtan has the running game with Trenton Cannon and Adrian Pope (a combined 225 ypg, 12 TDs). Bethel has the passing with QB Frank Brown (56%, 1,346 yards, 12 TDs) and WRs Rashawn Proctor (28-612-5) and Willie Davis (30-442-6).

THE PICK: Bethel 27-13.

WOODSIDE (6-0, 5-0) at GLOUCESTER (2-4, 1-4)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Gloucester High.

THE BUZZ: The Wolverines are coming off back-to-back one-point wins, but this should be a little easier. Woodside's offense revolves around QB Donnell Lewis (164 total ypg, 10 TDs), who almost single-handedly brought the Wolverines back last week vs. Kecoughtan. The Dukes are led by RB Ryan Harris (47 ypg, 1 TD).

THE PICK: Woodside 45-13.

MENCHVILLE (2-4, 1-4) vs. HERITAGE (1-5, 1-4)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Todd Stadium.

THE BUZZ: The Monarchs have been outscored 120-0 by Warwick and Phoebus in their past two games but are more in their element tonight. They should have Johnathon Thompson and Martel Peden, who were suspended last week, back along with QB Jamel Booth. Heritage might be the most improved team in the district. RB Khalid Abdullah (85.7 ypg, 3 TDs) has been a find.

THE PICK: Heritage 21-13.

Dave Johnson

BAY RIVERS DISTRICT

WARHILL (3-2, 3-2 BRD) vs. GRAFTON (4-2, 3-2)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Bailey Field.

THE BUZZ: With the schools virtually deadlocked in the Region I Division 4 playoff race, the winner makes a huge move toward getting a first-round bye and semifinal home game in the playoffs. What is it about Warhill and turnovers? The Lions have forced 14 in good showings against Lafayette, Poquoson and Bruton. The guess here is they'll need more to prevail against balanced Grafton (138 rushing yards per game, 146 passing per game).

THE PICK: Grafton 28-20.

SMITHFIELD (1-5, 1-4) vs. POQUOSON (3-3, 2-3)

WHEN: 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Poquoson Middle School.

THE BUZZ: Smithfield returns six starters who missed last week's 38-0 loss to Grafton for various reasons, and starts promising freshman Jamal Wells at QB for the first time. All that should help, but won't be enough for the Packers to overcome the 1-2 rushing punch of Dylan Hill (89 ypg, seven TDs) and William Emeny (104 ypg, 10 TDs). Kickoff was moved up 30 minutes because of the Poquoson Seafood Festival.

THE PICK: Poquoson 28-7.

JAMESTOWN (3-3, 2-3) at BRUTON (3-3, 2-3)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Bruton High.

THE BUZZ: With Alex Peck returning to join Stas Szczepanski (98 ypg rushing) and Davion Turner, the Eagles have can run ball inside and outside. Whether the Eagles can do so against a consistently solid Bruton defense remains to be seen. And it will be interesting to see whether a previously anemic Bruton offense can approach its 400-plus yards performance in a 52-27 win last week over Tabb.

THE PICK: Bruton 20-14.

TABB (1-5, 1-4) vs. LAFAYETTE (6-0, 5-0)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Wanner Stadium.

THE BUZZ: Lafayette might hold out RB/LB Rodney Taylor (shoulder), perhaps the team's best two-way player the past few weeks, for what figure to be tougher games ahead if they handle the Tigers as expected. Even so, a Tabb defense allowing 256 rushing yards and 40 points a game figures to be overmatched against a Lafayette offense averaging 345 yards and 37 points.

THE PICK: Lafayette 35-10.

YORK (6-0, 5-0) at NEW KENT (1-5, 1-4)

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: New Kent High.

THE BUZZ: New Kent's defense has given up fewer than 25 points just once and surrendered fewer than 238 rushing yards just once. And the Trojans haven't faced an offense as explosive as York's, which is averaging 42 points and more than 400 yards per game. York should cruise, but then things get really tough with Bruton, Lafayette and Grafton ahead.